Atlanta GA vs Independence MO — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
Independence, MO
Missouri · Population: 121,944
- Median HH Income$59,480
- Median Home Price$210,384
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+20.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Independence
121,944
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Independence
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
Independence
38.4
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Atlanta +
Independence
5.3%
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Independence
10.8%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Atlanta +
Independence
1.4%
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Independence
12.4%
Independence +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Independence
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 121,944 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 38.4 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 5.3% | Atlanta + |
| White | 39.9% | 72.2% | Independence + |
| Black | 46.9% | 10.8% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 1.4% | Atlanta + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 12.4% | Independence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Atlanta +
Independence
$59,480
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Independence
$31,683
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Independence
$58,527
Independence +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Atlanta +
Independence
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Independence
20.9%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $59,480 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $31,683 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $58,527 | Independence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.0% | Atlanta + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 15.3% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 20.9% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $210,384 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 61.0% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Atlanta +
Independence
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Atlanta +
Independence
2418
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 501 | Atlanta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2418 | Atlanta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
Independence
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Atlanta +
Independence
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Independence
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Atlanta +
Independence
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Independence
16.8%
Independence +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
Independence
18.4%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 37.3% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.9% | Atlanta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 19.9% | Atlanta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 11.5% | Atlanta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 16.8% | Independence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 18.4% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Independence
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Independence
43.7 in
Independence +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 43.7 in | Independence + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Independence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Independence
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Independence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Atlanta
28.7 min
Independence
25.5 min
Independence +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 25.5 min | Independence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Atlanta leads in median household income at $81,938, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Atlanta is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Atlanta has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Independence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Atlanta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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